Celebrating Creativity and Craftsmanship at the Bayley Arts Fashion Show
This year’s inaugural Bayley Arts Fashion Show was an extraordinary celebration of creativity, craftsmanship, and community. As we reflect on the success of the event, it’s inspiring to see how far our textile artists and models have come in their journey of self-expression and skill development.
A Tradition of Textile Arts, Reimagined
Bayley House has long been known for its programs that teach the timeless art of textiles, and many of our past fashion shows have highlighted this heritage. This year marked a new chapter as we introduced our very first Fashion Show at Bayley Arts. We were thrilled to combine our long-held traditions with fresh ideas and new collaborations.
Our artists proudly showcased bespoke fashion pieces that they had designed, constructed, and modelled themselves. From pattern making to sewing, fabric printing to design processes, every piece reflected their hard work, learning, and personal style. These creations were a testament to the way fashion can be a powerful expression of personality and individuality, with each garment telling a unique story.
Special Guests and New Partnerships
The evening was also enriched by the contributions of our special guests. We were honoured to have Emma and Molly from JAM the Label, champions of accessible fashion, join us for the show. Their collection of adaptive clothing was an inspiring addition to the runway, and we are grateful for their presence.
We also want to extend a warm thank you to Annelie from Hello Friends Fabric, who supported us with in-kind contributions. Their collaboration allowed us to print beautiful fabrics featuring the artwork of our Bayley Arts artists. We were especially excited to showcase a piece by Sally Tran, whose vibrant ocean-inspired artwork adorned several garments. Sally was with us on the night, and we were all thrilled to see her art come to life on the runway. You can read more about the four pieces of artwork and the artists here.
We had the incredible DJs - Bar and Francisco on the decks. Bruno from AudioVisual & FX gave us a big discount on equipment hire! Lastly a big thank you to Steve from Sandy Cellars for supporting us at this event with another big discount, we really appreciate it!
A Heartfelt Acknowledgment
The success of this event would not have been possible without the incredible support from our staff and volunteers. A huge thank you to Angela, Debby-Lee, Alice, Annette, and Jeanette—our dedicated fashion program team. Their passion, knowledge, and commitment to teaching textile arts have had a profound impact on our artists. Their guidance and mentorship helped bring the designs to life, and we couldn’t have asked for a better team.
Strutting the Runway with Pride
Each model took to the runway with pride, showcasing the garments they had worked so hard to create. Every piece told a story of personal expression and skill. It was exciting to see our artists embrace the design process, experimenting with new techniques and learning along the way.
Embracing Sustainability and Upcycling
In a world increasingly concerned with fast fashion, we were particularly proud to feature pieces that embraced sustainability by creating upcycled fashion. These garments, which featured hand-applied embroidery, pockets, and creative patches, were a perfect example of how fashion can be both eco-friendly and stylish.
One of the most memorable moments came when Peter Ginn, who is much loved in our community, strutted down the runway in a jacket he had upcycled himself, paired with a custom bowtie. Peter’s joy and confidence were evident, and his positive energy lit up the runway.
Looking to the Future
Reflecting on the event, we couldn’t be more proud of the progress made by our textile artists and models. Their creativity, dedication, and personal growth were on full display. The evening was not just a celebration of fashion—it was a testament to the power of art to transform lives and bring people together.
We are already looking forward to next year’s show, where we hope to continue pushing the boundaries of creativity, collaboration, and inclusivity. A big thank you to everyone who made this event possible, from our artists and models to our collaborators, volunteers, and donors. To donate and support Bayley Arts, please visit Bayley House.
Your involvement made this evening unforgettable, please enjoy the photos and we can't wait to do it all again next year!